Steve Rodriguez (5boro Skateboards)
Encyclopedia
Steve Rodriguez is the founder and owner of 5boro Skateboards
. He is a long-time resident of New York City
, and is widely recognized as the mayor of New York’s tight-knit skateboarding community. "SteveR," as his friends call him, has been a dedicated skateboarder for nearly three decades; an activity that has influenced and shaped his life in every way imaginable over the years.
(1993-2001 & 2001–Present) which have experienced business stoppage and ownership changes, respectively. 5boro's product line of skateboards and accessories is distributed worldwide, and the brand also runs several significant skateboarding events in NYC each year including Back to the Banks and Go Skateboarding Day.
Under the direction of team manager, Tom "Tombo" Colabraro, 5boro Skateboards sponsors a family-like crew of professional and amateur skateboarders. The current team roster includes: Willy Akers, Jimmy McDonald, Joe Tookmanian, Guillaume Dulout (France), Akira Ishizawa (Japan), and pros Dan Pensyl and Danny Falla. Additionally, Luidgi Gaydu serves as the brand’s International Team and Marketing Manager.
hired him to help design the street course for the inaugural Maloof Money Cup
NYC skateboarding contest that took place June 5–6, 2010 in Flushing, Queens. Steve not only helped design the street course, but he also promoted the event and served as liaison between the Maloof brothers and the construction company that built the course, California Skateparks
.
. Now years later, New York skaters continue to clean and repair the famed spot on an annual basis, with 5boro’s Back to the Banks receiving the full support of the city and entire skateboarding community. The contest grows each year and brings out top professional and amateur skateboarders, as well as media and thousands of spectators. Sadly, in June 2010 the City of New York closed the Brooklyn Banks to use them as a staging area for trucks and construction equipment as the Brooklyn Bridge undergoes necessary repairs that are expected to last until 2014.
(GSD) as “the official holiday of skateboarding,” which received Special Congressional Recognition in 2007. Held annually on June 21, GSD is a cooperative of decentralized grassroots events that positively promote skateboarding in cities spanning the globe. Steve runs the New York City chapter and, with thousands of participants in tow each year, GSD NYC is considered one of the largest single gatherings of skateboarders in the world.
where he first started skateboarding in 1983, and he earned a B.A. in Marketing from Marietta College
in 1993. He lives in Greenwich Village
with his wife, Hiroko. When not skateboarding or running his business, Steve and Hiroko enjoy surfing at Rockaway Beach
.
5boro Skateboards
5boro Skateboards is a leading manufacturer of skateboards and accessories based in New York City. Adopting its name from the five boroughs of New York, was established in 1996 by long-time NYC skateboarder, Steve Rodriguez. Today Steve operates the brand with friend and fellow NYC skateboarder,...
. He is a long-time resident of New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, and is widely recognized as the mayor of New York’s tight-knit skateboarding community. "SteveR," as his friends call him, has been a dedicated skateboarder for nearly three decades; an activity that has influenced and shaped his life in every way imaginable over the years.
5boro Skateboards
In 1996, Steve’s passion for skateboarding and the surrounding lifestyle inspired him to launch 5boro Skateboards. Today Steve operates the brand with friend and fellow NYC skateboarder, Mark Nardelli. 5boro embodies the heart and soul of skateboarding and has the distinct honor of being the longest continuously-running, independently owned-and-operated skateboard company in New York City history. At 14 consecutive years in business, 5boro surpasses SHUT Skates (1986-1992 & 2006–Present) and Zoo YorkZoo York
Zoo York is a style and social philosophy inspired by the New York City graffiti art subculture of the 1970s. Its name originates from a subway tunnel running underneath the area of the Central Park Zoo...
(1993-2001 & 2001–Present) which have experienced business stoppage and ownership changes, respectively. 5boro's product line of skateboards and accessories is distributed worldwide, and the brand also runs several significant skateboarding events in NYC each year including Back to the Banks and Go Skateboarding Day.
Under the direction of team manager, Tom "Tombo" Colabraro, 5boro Skateboards sponsors a family-like crew of professional and amateur skateboarders. The current team roster includes: Willy Akers, Jimmy McDonald, Joe Tookmanian, Guillaume Dulout (France), Akira Ishizawa (Japan), and pros Dan Pensyl and Danny Falla. Additionally, Luidgi Gaydu serves as the brand’s International Team and Marketing Manager.
Skateboard Advocate
With 5boro as his vehicle, Steve Rodriguez has taken it upon himself to become an advocate for all New York skaters by volunteering his time and expertise to help city officials plan and execute a variety of skateboarding-related projects. In 2004, he teamed up with the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation and the New York City Department of Transportation to help save NYC’s legendary skate spot, the Brooklyn Banks. By working closely with Robert Redmond from the Parks Department and other city officials, Steve not only helped save parts of the Banks from demolition, but he also persuaded the city to designate a section for skateboarding only. Thanks to Steve’s tireless efforts, the end result has the full support of Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe, and it will be enjoyed by skaters from around the world for years to come. Building on the success of the Brooklyn Banks, the Parks Department and DOT now frequently call upon Steve to consult on additional skateboarding projects. Recent projects include the Astoria Skate Plaza beneath the Triborough Bridge, and the River Avenue Skatepark across from the old Yankee Stadium in the Bronx. Under Steve’s guidance, both projects are slated for completion in 2010, with the Astoria facility serving as NYC’s first-ever “skate plaza” - a manufactured spot that promotes skateboarding in its purest form by maintaining the integrity of terrain commonly found in urban environments (stairs, ledges, benches, etc.).New York City Skateboarding Association (NYCSA)
To encourage city officials to support more skateboarding projects and build additional skateparks and plazas, in 2009 Steve joined forces with a group of influential New York skaters to establish the New York City Skateboarding Association (NYCSA). As President of the NYCSA, Steve spearheads the group’s mission to “advocate for access to safe, well designed and constructed recreational facilities for skateboarders in New York City.”Consulting
In addition to the pro bono work Steve does for the city and local community, an array of top agencies and consumer brands regularly enlist his consulting services for various marketing projects. Steve is also regularly sought out for skatepark design and consultation. In 2010, Joe and Gavin MaloofMaloof family
The Maloof family owns numerous business properties in the Western United States. The origin of the family name is Maalouf and is of Levantine descent; the family is Lebanese via their paternal grandfather. The Maloofs are the owners of the Sacramento Kings of the NBA . The family consists of...
hired him to help design the street course for the inaugural Maloof Money Cup
Maloof Money Cup
The Maloof Money Cup is an annual skateboarding event and contest for amateur and professional skateboarders founded by Joe and Gavin Maloof of the Maloof family. The Maloof Money Cup's main goal is to raise the awareness of skateboarding not only in the United States but all around the world by...
NYC skateboarding contest that took place June 5–6, 2010 in Flushing, Queens. Steve not only helped design the street course, but he also promoted the event and served as liaison between the Maloof brothers and the construction company that built the course, California Skateparks
California Skateparks
California Skateparks is the largest and most notable skate park and action sports facility builder and designer in the world. Founded in 1989, and based in Upland, CA, CA Skateparks has constructed more municipal city and county parks, action sports competition arenas, and professional athlete's...
.
Back To The Banks
The first annual Back to the Banks event was held in 2004 in celebration of the Parks Department’s decision to designate a portion of the Brooklyn Banks as a legal skateboarding spot. Conceived by Steve Rodriguez and executed with help from friends and 5boro team riders, what began a year earlier as a way to get the NYC skateboarding community to simply “Clean Up the Banks,” rapidly evolved into one of the most renowned skateboarding contests in the United StatesUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Now years later, New York skaters continue to clean and repair the famed spot on an annual basis, with 5boro’s Back to the Banks receiving the full support of the city and entire skateboarding community. The contest grows each year and brings out top professional and amateur skateboarders, as well as media and thousands of spectators. Sadly, in June 2010 the City of New York closed the Brooklyn Banks to use them as a staging area for trucks and construction equipment as the Brooklyn Bridge undergoes necessary repairs that are expected to last until 2014.
Go Skateboarding Day
2004 not only marked the birth of Back to the Banks, but that same year the International Association of Skateboard Companies (IASC) established Go Skateboarding DayGo Skateboarding Day
Go Skateboarding Day is an unofficial annual holiday conceived by the International Association of Skateboard Companies to promote skateboarding. It is usually marked on June 21.-History:...
(GSD) as “the official holiday of skateboarding,” which received Special Congressional Recognition in 2007. Held annually on June 21, GSD is a cooperative of decentralized grassroots events that positively promote skateboarding in cities spanning the globe. Steve runs the New York City chapter and, with thousands of participants in tow each year, GSD NYC is considered one of the largest single gatherings of skateboarders in the world.
Personal life
Steve Rodriguez was born and raised in New JerseyNew Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
where he first started skateboarding in 1983, and he earned a B.A. in Marketing from Marietta College
Marietta College
Marietta College is a co-educational private college in Marietta, Ohio, USA, which was the first permanent settlement of the Northwest Territory. The school offers 42 majors along with a large number of minors, all of which are grounded in a strong liberal arts foundation...
in 1993. He lives in Greenwich Village
Greenwich Village
Greenwich Village, , , , .in New York often simply called "the Village", is a largely residential neighborhood on the west side of Lower Manhattan in New York City. A large majority of the district is home to upper middle class families...
with his wife, Hiroko. When not skateboarding or running his business, Steve and Hiroko enjoy surfing at Rockaway Beach
Rockaway Beach
- Places :* Rockaway Beach, California, in the city of Pacifica* Rockaway Beach, Missouri, a town in Taney County* Rockaway Beach, Oregon, a city in Tillamook County...
.